The PIMS-CNRS International Research Lab

Overview

The Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (National Center for Scientific Research) is a government-funded research organization, under the administrative authority of France's Ministry of Research. Founded in 1939 by governmental decree, CNRS has the following missions:

To evaluate and carry out all research capable of advancing knowledge and bringing social, cultural, and economic benefits for society,
To contribute to the application and promotion of research results,
To develop scientific information,
To support research training, and
To participate in the analysis of the national and international scientific climate and its potential for evolution in order to develop a national policy.

The PIMS-CNRS IRL #3069, originally signed in 2007 and renewed in 2019, has been an integral component of efforts to facilitate and encourage research collaborations between mathematical scientists at PIMS member universities in North America and researchers across France.

Download our 2-page info sheet for more details on the PIMS -CNRS Partnership.

1. PIMS-Europe Fellowship

PIMS-Europe (CNRS IRL #3069) is announcing the return of the PIMS-Europe Fellowships. The goal of this program is to develop and support research collaborations between mathematical scientists at PIMS member universities and researchers across France. These fellowships will champion a mutual exchange of knowledge and talent while encouraging cross-ocean research on the frontline of the Mathematical Sciences. Fellowship awardees will receive CAD $5,000 to facilitate long-term visits to France.

Fellowship Parameters:

Fellowships are eligible to ALL mathematical scientists with faculty positions at PIMS member universities.
PIMS-Europe Fellows are expected to spend at least two continuous months working on collaborative research in France. PIMS encourages longer visits.
Visits must begin in the next calendar year following your application

Application Deadline: October 1, annually

Applications MUST include:

A focused overview of the planned research activity, including locations and anticipated France-based collaborators (up to 5 pages).
A letter of support from the proposed host institution in France.
A letter from the applicant’s department head supporting the proposed visit. The letter from the department head should reference the duration of the applicant’s stay in France. For visits that include part of an academic year, the department must commit to provide a teaching release covering the duration of the proposed visit.

Applications should be sent to:

Dr. Ozgur Yilmaz - Director, Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences director@pims.math.ca
IRL CNRS No. 3069 | Central Office and UBC Site Office
4176-2207 Main Mall | UBC | Vancouver, BC | V6T 1Z4

2. CNRS Postes Rouges

The Institut de Mathématiques du CNRS (INSMI) will be offering a limited number of research positions in France, for the 2024 calendar year. These positions are available to foreign visitors from the “IRLs”, “LIAs” or “IRNs” and provide funding support by reimbursing research expenses related to the trip (travel, accommodation and meals). This research reimbursement will be fully managed by the French laboratory hosting the visiting researcher and they will work with the visitor to ensure the right processes are followed.

These positions are for three months (shorter visits cannot be funded under this scheme) and are available to non-French academics (assistant, associate or full professors) at any PIMS member university (French citizens with full-time positions at PIMS institutions are also eligible to apply). The support can be applied for as a part of a longer research visit if explained in the application.

Applicants are required to conduct their visits during the 2024 calendar year. A clear connection with the scientific activity of the IRL/LIA/IRN should appear in the file.

To apply, please provide:

A CV (with a list of publications).
A specific scientific project for the visit.
Tentative dates of stay. The three-month visit must take place between Jan 1 and Nov 30, 2024.
The candidates (or the inviting researcher) must contact the director of the inviting French laboratory and obtain his or her agreement (email is ok).

Applicants should send the file to the PIMS Director by October 6, 2023:

Ozgur Yilmaz

director@pims.math.ca

Complete proposals will go to the CNRS Poste Rouge for review and appointment.

The reimbursement process:

The total level of reimbursement is EUR 9000 for the 3 months (including travel).
The Procedure for booking travel, including the incoming flight must be ordered by the French host laboratory.
The maximum level of reimbursement for accommodation varies according to your place of residence in France.
The level of reimbursement for meals is EUR 17.50 per lunch and dinner.

Both French and PIMS Researchers should discuss these conditions before applying. Once the PIMS researcher has received confirmation of funding for the Postes Rouges, they should contact the French laboratory's administration team (via the inviting researcher) to receive further instructions regarding the mission expenses.

3. PIMS–CNRS Student Mobility Program

The PIMS Globalink Program is available to senior undergraduate and graduate students to conduct 12-24 week research programs at a PIMS member university or at an eligible university or institution in France. It offers $6000 (CAD) to support French students travelling to a PIMS member university or students at a PIMS member university traveling to an eligible university or institution in France. Please see the PIMS Globalink page for more details and application instructions.

4. CNRS Visitors

In 2024 or 2024-2025, researchers and academics who are members of Insmi's UMRs may spend a medium- or long-term period abroad at one of the PIMS member institutions.

In order to plan their stay as efficiently as possible, applicants should discuss their project informally with the deputy scientific director responsible for international affairs at Insmi (jean-stephane.dhersin@cnrs.fr). This should be done at a very early stage (before submitting their application), when applicants should also contact the PIMS Director (director@pims.math.ca) to obtain their provisional agreement.

Applications

Applications should be sent to insmi.international@cnrs.fr, with a copies being sent to the PIMS Director (director@pims.math.ca) and the director of the applicant's home institution. The deadline for applications is 15 October 2023. Applications must include:

a CV
a list of publications
a description of the research project at the IRL, including projected dates
a letter from the person inviting the project to be undertaken at the IRL
agreement from the Director of the IRL (an email will suffice)
agreement from the director of the home UMR (an email will suffice).

Once the application has been submitted, the timetable is:

until the end of January 2024: examination of applications in consultation with the IRL directors
during 2024: communication of the results (this will be dependent on the date on which the CNRS "delegations" are announced).

For an IRL assignment such as PIMS, it is necessary for academics to obtain a CNRS "delegation" (and not, for example, a CRCT). It is therefore essential to apply for a delegation for the 2024-2025 campaign, according to the timetable set by the applicant's university. Applicants should enter "PIMS" as the host laboratory and must have obtained the agreement of the PIMS director (director@pims.math.ca) prior to submitting their application.

Notes

As the CNRS operates on a calendar year basis and the delegations' calendar is based on the university calendar, Insmi will consider both 2024 projects (calendar year, CNRS researchers only) and 2024-2025 applications (university year, CNRS researchers, academics).

Colleagues working in a UMR belonging to another CNRS institute (INS2I, INP, Insis, etc.) who wish to apply for a period at an IRL that is governed by Insmi must inform their home institute of their application.

For further information, please contact insmi.international@cnrs.fr

5. PIMS-CNRS Postdoctoral Fellowships

Candidates must be nominated by one or more scientists or by a department (or departments) affiliated with PIMS. The fellowships are intended to supplement support provided by the sponsor, and are tenable at any of PIMS’ Canadian member universities: Simon Fraser University, the University of Alberta, the University of British Columbia, the University of Calgary, the University of Lethbridge, the University of Manitoba, the University of Regina, the University of Saskatchewan, and the University of Victoria.

This award is targeted to applicants that are French, or who have completed their PhD degree in France. All other policies governing the PIMS CNRS program are the same as those of the regular PIMS PDF program. Please see the postdoctoral page for additional instructions and deadlines.

Please direct any questions to:

Executive Assistant, PIMS

Email: executive-assistant@pims.math.ca

Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences - PIMS